Château Les Forges du Roy

Take either The Forge or The Barn, or both together – they are never let to separate parties so you always have the pool to yourselves. Both spaces have very well-equipped kitchens, all the basic ingredients for cooking and a lovely seasonal welcome hamper, but you can have continental breakfast delivered and a chef for lunch and supper if you don’t want to cook. In fact almost anything can be done for you, even small shopping lists.

There is much room in both houses with working fireplaces (wood provided), comfortable seating and lots of books for finding a quiet corner with. Outdoors is stunning: mown lawns, trimmed box balls, a pergola clad with wisteria, large table with seating area, barbecue and fire pit. Cross three small bridges over the gurgling stream, find a swimming pool and pool house.

Bedrooms have high ceilings and grand drapes, some bigger than others but all with long views over the garden.